NAMELESS ON EARTH, KNOWN IN HEAVEN!

Today we look briefly at 5 nameless women from the Bible, with an important message to mothers and women everywhere …and to the male population as well! 

1. ICHABOD'S MOTHER- Grief for the Departed Glory

And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.1 Samuel 4:20-22 KJV

Phinehas wife was giving birth during a crisis situation in the country. She called her son Ichabod!

Ichabod! What a name to give to a child! What a tragic atmosphere in which to give birth! War, death of husband and in-laws but what she focused on most was "The ark of the LORD was taken! The glory has departed! Because the Glory was departed she would not be comforted by even the birth of her son, though the women said fear not!

Ichabod! Now he had no father, mother or grandfather. All dead in one day but she was bothered about one vital truth above all this... Her son had now also been deprived of the glory of God's presence! That was the greatest concern as she went to her grave. 

We do not hear her mourn over her husband's death or that of her in-laws...she only seems concerned for the Glory's departure!

Take some time to ponder on the daily life of this woman who is wife to a philandering priest, who has to live hearing of her husband's unfaithfulness and his constant ignoring of his own father's pleadings.

How many in the middle of critical condition and crisis think about God's glory? How important it is to be concerned about the spiritual future of our children! How we should petition God, pray for them and pursue them for God!

Many Christians are caught up and ensnared in the spirit of the world being obsessed with lavishing our children with perishable valuables rather than eternal values! We excuse their sin and bad behavior in defiance of God’s commands and fondly think of ourselves as being understanding and hip parents trying to live a proxy life through our children’s youth!

It is far simpler to load our children with expensive and fancy fashions and fetishes in an effort to buy their loyalty and affection than to ensure they have a Christ centered life from which the glory of God radiates! How many times have we not renamed our children Ichabod spiritually, having robbed them of the glory of God!

2. WOMAN OF ABEL- Wisdom and Prudence

And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king. 2 Samuel 20:15-22 KJV

Wise women seek the safety of their own. They do not expose them to unnecessary danger. In the face of war and threat of death this mother of Abel sought a peaceful solution. How many instead would have responded otherwise? Many at the drop of an ill placed word are ready to dress for war. They foolishly cry “Bring it on” Wisdom indeed is manifested as the Bible says: Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1.

This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 KJV

By her wisdom this woman saved her city and everyone in it. Making wise decisions is vital in preservation of lives, relationships, and fellowship with Christ.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  Proverbs 31:26 KJV

She asked “Art thou Joab?” His name means “Yahweh is father” According to Jewish tradition it’s as though she asking, “Are you a really father…seeking to kill Israel? According to the law: When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.  Deuteronomy 20:10 KJV

However Joab had not done according to the law but was set to destroy the whole city!

For even hereunto were ye called:because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:21-22

3. WIDOW WITH TWO MITES - Selfless Sacrifice

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:41-44 KJV

She was a widow. She was poor. She would probably be justified if she did not give. She could have looked at her two mites (the equivalent of 2 dollars today), and feel ashamed while others looked at her condescendingly! However her devotion to Yahweh won, and she gave what she had, which was ALL…and SOMEONE noticed!!!...and called attention to it! Jesus forever made the distinction between giving and merely giving! It was not just what you gave…it was what REMAINED after you gave! Jesus was excited and enthusiastically praised the woman’s giving! Great mothers tend to unconsciously exhibit this quality…selfless sacrifice on behalf of their children, depriving themselves for the greater good…paving the way for their posterity. It is important to know what catches God’s attention and holds it!

4. WOMAN OF SHUNEM- Hospitality and Dedication

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 2 Kings 4:8-10 KJV

This woman displays several commendable qualities, of which the following are a few, which combined to make her great. She did not do things by halves! She went the distance!

1. Her hospitality was heavenly
2. Her perception was precise
3. Her generosity was genuine
4. Her charity was commendable
5. Her  persistence was profound
6. Her determination was dynamic
7. Her humility was honored

She combines the virtues of a good woman and mother into one unique package that, even though nameless on earth, plants her firmly in the Scripture as one of the great women of God!

5. SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN- Persistence, Humility and Faith

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15:21-28 KJV

Her daughter was in desperate need and she resorted to the one and only solution…Jesus Christ! There was a little problem however…she was a Gentile.

It did not discourage her! Her child was in trouble and needed help. She swallowed pride and nationality, countering every opposition with persistence, humility and faith! Her attitude brought an exclamation of amazement and commendation from the Lord, and a declaration of deliverance for her daughter!

May mothers and everyone else be challenged today to strive for the qualities that make your name known in heaven and make you praiseworthy among men!